Storage-bin.



R. E. BAKER.

STORAGE BIN.

APrLIoATIoN FILED MAY za, 19412.

fR. B'. BAKER. STORAGE BIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1012. 1,088,762` Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Rv. BAKER STORAGE BIN. APPLIOATIQN YILBD MAY 23, 1912.

Ptented Mar.

a suma-snm: a.

I2* 55555,Z Gf. 4.

Bonner n BAKEIe, or CLEVELAND, omo.

cronaca-BIN.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914:.

Application tiled May 23, 1912. Serial No. 699,118.

citizen-,of the United States, a resident cfg county of Cuyahoga, and State Clevelandv y of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Im` rovementin Storage-Binswf which'the fol owing is a specification, the princi le of the invention 4being herein explaine and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions. v

My invention relates to storage bins or rece tacles for a like purpose, such as are use for storing iron-ore, coal or similar materials in bulk, its object being to .provide a bin-structure which will be economical in its construction and eiiicient in its operation. A particular object of the invention 1s to provide a bin construction in which` materials com osing thejbottom and sides are so disposed) as to resist by theirtensile strength, the stresses due .to the imposed loads; and in which all of the contents may he discharged bycgravity alone.

Bins characterized by said resistin :fea-- ture, are commonly known to those snlled in the art, as suspension bins. It has heretofore been common practice to construct bins of this type having sides and bottom substantially parabolic in cross-section,and while such' bins have been found to be efcient nktheir disposal of materials formingthe sides andbottoms thereof, in so far asv rconcerns the resistance of stralns due to the imposedeloads, they donot, owing to the necessarily comparatively fiat or horizontal form of their bottoms, permit at all times, an easy flow of the contained material, in asmuch as there is a tendency, in consequence, toward an` increasingly sluggish movement of the material as the bottoni is` approached. Alnvthe full parabolic form of constructioni't isthe usual practice to provide discharge o enings at intervals in the bottom, so space as to retain'between them a' suiiicient sectiono the material forming auch bottom, to insure adequate transverse strength to support, .without rupture, the

'load imposed by the stored material. These .t wo elements in such .arabolic form of bins,

z'. e., the comparative y iiat bottom andthe nefissary provisiontor retentlon of considerable structural material between the dischar e o enings makes it impossibe to com.

lete y ischarge the'contents of such bins Ey gravity alonenand manual labor` or other` The illustrated embodiment of extraneous means must hence beprovided for that purpose.

Inmy improved construction the advantageous disposition of the structural elements of the sides and bottoms of the former bin-construction is retained, and the disadvantages attendant upon the peculiar form of the bottoms thereof have been eliminated.

'A further particular object is to provide a construction which may be readily erected in the field without the necessity of riveting, thus eliminating in the field the use ol riveting machines, whereby such erection is much simpliled and thc economy of erection greatly increased.

A further specific object is to provide a construction in which the worn or defective parts may be removed and replaced in a simple, economical and efficient manner.

The said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described and particularly set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail a certain construction embodying my invention, the disclosed construction, however, constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principles oi. my invention may be ap lied.

nsaid annexed drawings: Figure l is a vertical transverse section of a storagebin embodyingr my invention. Fig. l is-an enlarged transverse section of a fragmentary portion thereof. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, with parts of the .supporting-frame broken away, of a fragmentary portion of sugh bin, showing two complete bays. Fig. 2a is an enlarged'front elevation oi a fragmentary part of such bin. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of aV fragmentary part of the bin, showing a complete bay. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of one of the longitudinal and end elements, respectively, of the intermediztte-structure of the bin. Fig. (3 is a detail `enlarged section taken upon the plane indicated by line vVI-JVI, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detailenlarged section of a modiiication of one-feature of my improved bln. i

my invention comprises three main parts, namely; a

supporting-structure, a bottom-structure and an intermediate-structure. The frame-portion of the supporting` structure 'mayu be lof` any suitablefform designed to carry or'suspend the weihthfthei I bin and its contents. In the drawings I' have for the reinforcedconcrete elements, but the latter have been selected as illustrating one particular form of elementsof the many pos sible forms which mayloe adopted for constructing the required su porting-frame.

The girders B B are p aced so as to lneline inwardly, as shown, at substantially the required angle and have formed therein cen- 'trally disposed apertures I) b, Fig. 1, equidi'stant from eachy other in each bay and in the longitudinal direction of the girders as shown in Fig.` 2. These Aapertures are made to increase in diameter from the top down'- Wardly for a purpose hereinafter particularly set forth.

Forming' the 'supporting-strueture in .combination with the frame, andpassing throughtheapertures b b, are rodD D, threaded at both ends.` The upper ends are prevented from passingrthrongh the' apertures by'means of nuts UZ and 'Washerqilates d', the latter resting upon theupper snrfac`e\ of the gil-ders, such surfaces having an inclination of an angle complementa ry to that of the inclination of the lgirders, as will he understood The smaller diameter of lsaidV apertures is made such that the rods may be easily inset-teder Withdrawn therefrom.

The entire bin-structure'. as illustrated. is divided into bays, equal Vin length tothc distance between ,centersI of the pillars A A. The two sets of rods so provided and supported fo'rmthe direct .support for the bott-on'i-st1'ucture E. The latter is formed in sections equal in length to. the bays and each section, excepting the extreme left-hand section, consist's of the rear plate c, the front plate e and an 'end plate er diaphragm c2.

These plates are permanently secured to each other by means of angle-bars e c, secured to the inner adjacent .surfaces of ysaid plates, by means of rivets. 'The ri vet-holes in the angle-bars are made conical or coun-- tersunk at the upper surface of such bars so that the rivets may be made [lush with the latter, as is the usual practice in order to prevent abrasion thereof which would otherwise be caused by the movement of the ma-l terial in the bin, and to'ehnnnate all ele-.

ments tending to impede the flow of such material.-

To the bottom ofthe right-hand ends of cach plate e and l,0' of each lsuch bottoni-sec'- tion is riveted a connecting-plate e, Fig. 2-

Lessines which plates extend beyond the ends of 'the sections, and arey secured by the same rivets Tlieseve'ral bottom-sections, when placed in position end to end, as Will be hereinafter described, have their abutting ends 'secured to each other by means of bolts e5 having conicalY heads set in countersunk holes in angle-bars e6, Fig. 2, said bolts assingp through theplates e andwe., and t rough connecting-plates et, as will be' readily un.- derstood. The angle-bars e@ are not con.l nected with the end-plates or diaphragme e2, and hence merely serve to reinforce the lefthand ends of plates e and e and to hold the lower-edge portions of said diaphragms against movement away from angle-bars e e3.

provided with an additional endfplate ot shown) as will be understood, forming the left-hand end of the bottom-structure of the bin. The diaphragm e2 of the right-hand stench-forms the right-hand end of the bot# toni-structure.

Each platee is formed with a. plurality of discharge-openings controlled bysuitable doors E, and secondary diaphragmse1 are provided, as shown in Fig. 3, subdividing cach bottom-section, and permanently secured by suitably riveting.` The diaphragms \forni transverse ties which render each bottom-section, and hence the entire bottom- 'structure Substantially rigid.

c. ende of each bottom-section, .are secured by suitably riveting, two longitudinally eX- tending angle-bars e8 and es, placed back to hack. asshovvn in Figs. 1 and 2a, so as to form a strong and rigid projecting flange, e9'. These flanges are formed with a plu! rality of holes which are4 spaced so as to receive the rods D D. Above the said flanges` and forming the edge-portions of the sides of the bottom-sectiors are the i-ality of enlarged holes in alinement with the holes in flanges e and ve", and also provided for rece1ving the rods D D. Resting and es, and upon the upper' 4edge of the diaphragms e2 and e2 is the intermediatestructure F. This structure consists of a plurality of sections each formed of a rear longitudinal and flexible plate f, a front longitudinal and flexibleV plate f', and the Aend-platcs or diaphragrns f2. The plates f and f lie and rest against the inside of the bars D, as shown in Figs. 1 and 1"; Each diaphragm f2 has riveted up'on` opposite sides of its lower edge-portions, the

forming a groove auf These diaphragme as secure the anglebars e3 e3 to the said, 'plates e and c.

dmvnwardly projecting bars en and 611,'

Thel extreme left-hand .bottom-see'on 's'85 bottom-section, it Will be likewise under-.90

Near the upper edge of each of the plates angle-bars 61 and 61, formed With a plu- Iiiy upon the upper faces of the angle-barsA el f f2 rest upon the upper edge of the diaphragms e and e2 in grooves e, and are held against horizontal displacement by the bars e and en. The lower edge-portions of plates f and j" are provided with the outwardly projecting and permanently secured angle-bars f3, which rest upon the angle-bars 61, as shown in Figs. 1 and 21. Said bars f are provided with open slots f" and f, registering with the enlarged holes in bars el and el", for receiving the rods D D7 and with suitable bolt-holes for receiving the bolts f5 which pass through the said bars el, whereby the plates f may be removably secured to the bottom-structure as will be understood and as is illustrated in Fig. 2.

The lateral edge portions of the plates f and f" are provided with the permanently secured and outwardly projecting,r riveted angle-bars f", as shown in Fig. 4. 'Ihe diaphragms f2 are of dimensions such that they project between the angle-bars f and f", and are secured therebetween by means of bolts f7, and their upper edge-portions are reinforced by sti'lfening members f", as shown in Fig. ,5. The lower part oi each diaphragm is further provided with extensions f to which struts or braces G supported by pillars A, Fig. l, are removably yand pivotally secured by means of bolts f/ secured in place by means of split pins g', Fig. l,

As in the case of the riveting of the anglebars e to the diaphragms e2 and plates c', all other riveting above referred to is et- 'fected in connection with countersunk holes on the inside of the structure as is customary.

The bottom-structure together with the iiitermediate-structure `form a container-mear ber which is attached to the direct supporting-meansl (the rods) in a horizontal plane I erected, the rods D are placed in position in the apertures 7), with the lower nuts detached. The botton'rsections are placed end to end, their abutting ends secured by means ci the plates c and the bolts c5, thus conipletely assenilding the entire bottom-structure. The bottoni-struct:ire is then raised and the lower ends of the rods D passed through the angle-bars el and the l'lai'iges e, whereupon the nuts are placed upon such lower ends and the said section thus suspended. The said rods are made of a length sutlieient to permit these sections to occupy a lower position than that which they oecupy finally in the completely assembled structure, and they are permitted to at first occupy such lower position. The plates f a d f are now passed downwardly from a ove and caused to assume their positions resting upon the angle-bars e, the open slots f" permitting' them to assume these positions. These' plates are now secured to the hottoui-structure by'means of bolt-s f5. One ot the diaphragms f2 is first placed in position. The next. diaphragm f2 is now placed in position and both diaphragme are secured to the angle-bars f by meansol the boltsl f7. This having been accomplished, the bottonistructure, supporting the intermediatestructure consisting ol plates f and f and diaphragnis f2 is raised 'by turning the nuts upon the lower ends of the rods D7 until the edges of the diaphragnis engage the under side of the. girders C C, and the structure thus completed. It will be hence seen that by means of the above described urrangement, all bolt-heads and nutsare upon the outside, with the exception of the heads of bolts e5 (and these heads areiin countersunk holes) and are therefore not subject to the abrasive action and do not impede the flow of the materiai in the bin. Furthermore, any ot the bottoni-sections may be rc-A moved for repairs or replacement, and any element of the intermediate-structure may be removed and replaced.

When the bin is filled with material, the latter 'tends to bend the plates j' and f' outwarilly, and in horizontal planes, particularly at the central portion thereof. The rrds. therefore, may act as a suppoi't for 105 said plates when the latter are so bent, and act as a reinlorceinent therefor against the action ol the bending t'orce. lf such t'orec is great enough to bend these rods, the upper and also the lower nuts, act as pivots. This 110 pivotal movement is permitted by making the openings b ot the described enlarged forni and by the enlargement ot the holes in the angle-bars el".

ln designing my iniproved bin for use iii 115 connection with certain classes ot bulk inaterial. l have lound that'the aiigle-bars f and f may be omitted, if desired. and the da phragins ermitted to be free from connection with tie plates f and f. In such 120 event` the latter would tend to bend out wardly to the saine degree in any given intersecting hori oiital plane.

'Ilie provision otl a rigid bottoin-striuture suspended from the supportiiig-structure by 125 means of a direct support, such as the rods, makes it possible to have a continuous opening between the vertical planes of the faces ot the diaphragms or ties ehthus eliminating completely any element having faces or 130 'phragms as hereinbfore described) with but ture, a bottom structure supportedfby said tension members, and flexible plates supparts. projecting transversely of the flowi of the material downwardlyin the bottom structure. The sides of the latter may also be given the desired inclination. These two features, therefore, make it possible to discharge the entire contents of the bin by gravity solely.

Instead of providing each bottom-section (with the eacepton .of the one end section which is p1 vided with two such diaa single diaphragm c2, eaeh such section may be provided lwith two suoli diaphragms e?, as ill'ustrat d in Fig, 7. In such event, the two end diaphragms abut cach other in every bay, and 'the downwardly projecting bars e and e are bent so as to increase the width of the groove 012 in order that those bars may span and secure between, them such two abutting diaphragnig as; will be readily understood. l have also found it advisable to provide plates, H, Fig. G, .which are placed against the outside of the rods D, and are scoured to the plates, f' and j" by means of bolts It, with their heads upon the in1 terior.. The .plates f and f", after coming from the` sliep are usually in a bent er buckled condition, ai these plates ll and bolts are provided to s .raighten them when they are placed in `position againstv the rods; Said plates H, however, are not; drawn up against the rods D to a degree such as will cause the said rods and plates f and f to bind, thus allowing said rods to move freely with reference to plates'f and f when the flexing of the latter takes place as a result" of the imposed loads, hereinbefore-described.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A suspension storage bin colnprising n support-ing structure, flexible tension members suspended from said supporting structure, a rigid bottom structure supported by said tension members, and a side structure supported by said bottoni structure and rest-y ing againstsaid tension members.

2. A suspension storage bin comprising a supportingl structure, flexible tension meinbers suspended from said supportingr strucported by said bottom structure and resting against said tension members.

3. A suspension storage bin comprising a rectangular supporting structure, the side members of which are vsloped in the direction of the load thereon, fiexible tension members depending inwardly therefrom and in. approximately the same plane therewith, a rigid bottom structure supported by said flexible members, and flexible side cotainingl members supported by said bottom 4structure and resting against said tension members.

4. A suspension storage bin comprising a supporting` structure, `flexible tension members suspended from said supporting Sl'llulult, a rigid bottom structure support- "cd by said flexible tension members, and transverse tension members separating said bottom structure into chutes, said fiexible tension members and flexible side containing members being` lfree to assume shape approximating a segment of a parabola under imposed load.

5. A suspension storage bin comprising a supporting structure, flexible tension members` depending therefrom, a rigid bottom structure supported by said flexible tension numbers, flexible side containing members resting against said flexible tension members, and end containing members resting on said rigid bottom structure and rigidly attached to said iiexibleside containing members.

G. ln a storage-bin, the combination of a suplmrting-frame5 two sets of depending rods converging downwardly and loosely nuuntcd upon said frame; a bottom-structure suspended by said rods; and an intermediatefstructure supported on said bottomstructure; said botton'rstructure having its two opposite sides secured to said twosets of rods respectively.

7. ln a storage-bin, the combination of a suppcrting-structureg a rigid bottom-structure suspended from said supporting structure; and an intermediate-structure suitably supported, free to fle'x outwardly so as to assume a position in which internal strains, due to the imposed load,'will be resisted by the ltensile strength of said supporting I 

